Following on from Johnnie Coopers two other publications from Black Dog Press Sunset Strip 2019 and Fractured Light 2020 The Listener centres on the most recent major body of work by the British Abstract artist.ampampamp10ampampamp10ampampamp10ampampamp10Inspired by Walter de la Mareampampamp8217s brooding poem The Listeners 1912 this beautifullypresented book brilliantly conveys the power of Cooperampampamp8217s monocromatic collection of paintings. These works serve as a meditation of the lived experience and the rich atmosphere of the artistampampamp8217s rural surroundings.ampampamp10ampampamp10ampampamp10ampampamp10The Listener documents an important shift in Cooperampampamp8217s practice in tonetexture and also material with the introduction of industrial bitumen paint. Overall the paintings which were executed at night time bring a darker and more abstract emotion to the fore confirming Johnnie Cooperampampamp8217s current status as one of the most diverse and important British artists working in the UK today.The body of work to which this book is dedicated is heavily influenced by Walter de la Mares famous and haunting poem The Listeners.